Falmouth Town Meeting Oks 2 New Fire Trucks, School Roof Design

FALMOUTH, MA — Falmouth Town Meeting members Monday approved several projects and purchases for the town, including $970,000 for two new fire trucks.

The appropriation included $870,000 for a new fire engine, while the other $100,000 will go for a reserve vehicle for the West Falmouth fire station.

Select Board member Doug Brown said the town does not have a backup fire engine, and since the town uses the West Falmouth truck to supplement other parts of town, not having another vehicle poses a safety threat for the village.

Another amendment, written by J. Malcolm Donald, of Precinct 6, called for holding off on the purchase of the $870,000 fire engine until the West Falmouth station is fully staffed. But the amendment overwhelmingly failed by a 12-193 vote.

"It is a very difficult situation right now, to hire people, and it is not for lack of trying, believe me," Brown said. "When he (Fire Chief Timothy Smith) gets the people, he is going to staff that station. Let's not throw a monkey wrench into his plans for public safety."

Other projects approved included $100,000 for the architectural design of a new roof at Teaticket Elementary School, $1.15 million to remove underground fuel tanks at the Falmouth Department of Public Works and replace it with above ground tanks, $425,000 to replace the chiller at Falmouth High School and $925,000 for coastal erosion repair on Chapoquoit Road.

Town Meeting also failed to support transferring aparecel of land at Mull-Hall Elementary School from the school committee to the select board.

The lot was being considered as a permanent home for the Carousel of Light. A majority of town meeting voters, 108-93, supported the transfer, but the article required a two-thirds majority to pass. Some members like Margaret Szuplat, of Precinct 7, felt building a carousel would destroy the land's "natural beauty and tranquility."

"I don't believe this land can appropriately hold or attractively accommodate this project," Szuplat said. "Once it is dug up, leveled and placed there, that beautiful area will be destroyed, and the beauty and tranquility of Shivericks Pond will disappear under the constant noise of the carousel music."

The next Falmouth Town Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., April 12.